Space(s)
Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room
Location
Newbury, Berkshire
The Brief
A young couple aimed to breathe new life into their first home, a bungalow, with a full modernisation and a rear extension designed to create a bright, open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space. With planning approval in place, the challenge lay in expertly zoning the expansive area and settling the debate on the ideal kitchen layout. Their vision was for a sleek, minimalist design that prioritises clean lines, functionality, and effortless flow for modern living.
Open plan dilemmas
This home extension project was given a thoughtful design that balanced both style and practicality. The new homeowner were planning a spacious open-plan extension and were unsure where to place the kitchen units, island, dining and seating areas. Recognizing the need for a well-planned layout, they turned to Atelier Konte for our expertise.
Initially, the architectural plans placed the kitchen at the back of the extension, next to a side window. While this worked, this layout didn’t fully take advantage of the space and the garden view. After considering the way the clients wanted to live, we proposed a simple yet effective change: moving the kitchen to the front of the extension. By scaling back the bifold garden door opening, this was feasible.
Room with a view to the outdoors
This new position, right next to the dining area, created a more integrated layout that flows smoothly from one area to the next, connecting it to the outside patio, to which we maxed out the door opening. The shift also had the added bonus of showcasing the scenic garden views, making everyday activities like cooking, dining, and entertaining that much more enjoyable. The natural light and greenery now flood into the kitchen, adding a relaxed and uplifting atmosphere to the space. This project shows how a thoughtful, well-considered design can make a real difference in both how a home looks and how it functions. The extension is now a bright, modern, open-plan space that brings together functionality, practicality, and a beautiful connection to the outdoors.
